As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Illustrator I in the United States is $54,990. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $45,056 to a high of $66,262, with most professionals earning between $49,790 and $60,890.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $60,890 | $5,074 | $1,171 | $29 |
| Average | $54,990 | $4,583 | $1,058 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,790 | $4,149 | $958 | $24 |
An entry-level Illustrator I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $54,602. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $55,166. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $56,487. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $56,751, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $56,927.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Illustrator I | $54,602 |
| Intermediate Level Illustrator I | $55,166 |
| Senior Level Illustrator I | $56,487 |
| Specialist Level Illustrator I | $56,751 |
| Expert Level Illustrator I | $56,927 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Illustrator I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $55,350 in 2023 to approximately $55,613 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Illustrator I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Illustrator I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Illustrator I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Illustrator I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $54,990 | 68.1% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,207 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,310 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,100 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.4% | ||
| Pension | $2,969 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $6,768 | 8.4% | ||
| Total Compensation | $80,696 | 100% | ||
A beginner illustrator should consider charging based on the following salary data: an annual salary range of approximately $51,090 to $68,190. This translates to an hourly rate of about $25 to $35, depending on experience and project complexity. For project-based work, fees could range from $25 to $1,000 per illustration.
Illustrators can earn a decent salary, with a minimum of $51,090, a mid-range salary of $56,890, and a maximum of $68,190. However, pay can be inconsistent, especially in the early years, leading many to seek additional part-time work. Opportunities exist in various locations, but being near a city can be beneficial, particularly for those without an agent.
An entry-level Illustrator typically earns between $51,090 and $68,190 annually, with a mid-salary of around $56,890. This range reflects the varying pay scales across different regions and industries, ensuring that entry-level positions offer competitive compensation for creative talent.
As an Illustrator, you can expect to earn between $51,090 and $68,190 annually, with a median salary of $56,890. This translates to a monthly pay ranging from approximately $4,258 to $5,682, depending on your experience and skill level.
The salary for an Illustrator ranges from a minimum of $51,090 to a maximum of $68,190, with a median salary of $56,890. While this can be considered a decent income, whether it is high-paying depends on individual circumstances and location. Overall, it offers a competitive salary within the creative industry.
Yes, competition for freelance illustration jobs is increasing, and clients are spending less on creative work during this economic uncertainty. However, this trend will eventually change. While clients may experiment with AI for certain tasks, it won't replace illustrators, whose salaries range from $51,090 to $68,190, reflecting their unique skills and creativity.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
